News + Press

PCD MAY Newsletter

Hello Courageous Democrats!

Last Friday, I attended the All In Rally hosted by Oklahoma Democratic Party celebrating 159 Democrats who are running for office this election cycle. There were more Democratic candidates in the room at that event than were on the ballet in 2024.

The energy was electric! The collective intention toward prioritizing people over politics was powerful! Our own Representative Ranson led a segment of the program highlighting dozens of Democrats who have already won their races since no Republican stood up to run against them.  

I feel like that concept bears repeating -- in a place that many people still call "deep red Oklahoma" Democrats are winning government positions because Republicans are not even showing up. I'm not sure what you hear in that statement -- but to me that sounds like a blue wave churning momentum, reshaping the political landscape, defying the heaviness of "the woesome status quo" that so many have felt would always be too entrenched to budge.

To me that sounds like ordinary people doing what Rep. Ranson so passionately called on all of us to do at the last No Kings rally....she said we've got to "Show Up, Speak Up and Stand Up!" One hundred and fifty nine Democrats are running for office in Oklahoma: they are showing up to the places and events where community can be accessed, they are speaking up when there's a truth that no one else is saying and they are standing up to take on the roles that need to be filled to create the change that's needed to benefit the greatest good.

Several new leaders have emerged within Payne County Democrats as well who are also showing up, speaking up and standing up!  We have a new Affirmative Action officer, Rain Murphy whose grandmother was a staunch participant in the Democratic Party and who has realized now that this is her time to stand up! We also have a new committee member Jesse Anderson-Tang who has recently become inspired to put his talents where his heart, and he is ready to help plan and track the numbers toward midterm election success for every candidate that Payne County voters can support.

Speaking of candidates who we can support -- if it is not on your calendar already -- mark it now --- our annual Diamond Donkey fundraising gala will be May 16, 2026, at White Barn pavilion in Stillwater. Gubernatorial Candidate Cyndi Munson, Lieutenant Governor candidate Kelly Forbes, and Attorney General Candidate Nick Coffey will be our keynote speakers and dozens of other candidates will be in the room. A “Meet the Candidates” Cocktail Party begins at 6:00 PM and the program starts at 7:00 PM. The theme this year is “Blueprint 2026: Building, Believing, Winning!”  This event will be a celebration of all we’ve built and everything we have planned as we prepare for an election season full of inspiration, solidarity and commitment to following through with the work we've started.

We've worked hard to design an event that strikes the balance between delivering an enjoyable experience and showcasing the impact that your donations will make. While attendees get to know their candidates, enjoy the meal and music provided by an OSU Jazz Ensemble, they'll also get details on the strategic plan Payne County Democrats have laid out to Raise the Wage by voting in the June 16th election, protect Medicaid expansion by voting in the  August 25th election and elect Democrats up and down the ballot by voting in the November 3rd election.

We are working hard to meet the same level of tickets sales and sponsorships that were donated last year this week! AND we need your help expanding the donations to our new goals! The additional money we raise over and above operating expenses will help us launch a robust media campaign and host events to bring new voters into the fold. If you know of someone who you think may be a sponsor and you do not feel comfortable approaching them, please reach out by email to chair@paynecountydemocrats.org.

With your energy, action and collaboration, we have the ability to create positive change for thousands of Oklahomans. Here is our monthly ongoing schedule, listed below. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to get involved in helping out on a committee. 

First Monday of the month - Committee Meetings 6pm at HQ
Second Thursday of the month -- General Meeting at HQ
Third weekend of the month - newsletter
Fourth Thursday of the month - committees and precinct leaders send their reports to Central Committee.

Please see our events and meetings on our website at: www.paynecountydemocrats.org/events.

Thank you to everyone who is stepping up and taking action! Every action counts.  

With gratitude,

"Democracy is not something you have, it's something you DO!"

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Monthly Business

May 4th at 6pm - Committee Meeting
Our committee members will be at WorkIT at 6pm this upcoming Monday. If you are interested in getting involved in the initiatives we are working on -- please come to the meeting. Here are the initiatives we are focusing on:
- State Question 832 "Raise the Wage" awareness and voter registration 
- Registering more voters by May 22nd so that they can vote on June 16th 
- Getting more sponsorships for Diamond Donkey so that we can double or triple our donations to allow us to create a robust event and media campaign to turn every seat we can impact blue across Payne County and statewide!
- Organizing along side campaign coordinators to help re-elect Trish Ranson, elect Cyndi Munson and support as many candidates as we can. 
- Finalizing our Strategic Plan for June through November so that we can accomplish our goals!! We will announce details of the Strategic Plan at the Diamond Donkey: Blueprint 2026 fundraiser gala so that donors understand that their donations are doing great work!! 


May 3rd - Party Building Potluck at 1pm at PCD Headquarters
Bring a snack to share as we do the work that makes the change we imagine. We'll be calling members to ask them to buy tickets to Diamond Donkey -- we'll be building the baskets that we will be auctioning off at Diamond Donkey -- and we'll be getting to know each other, exchanging ideas and meeting new like-minded friends who we can work alongside. 

May 6th - Monthly Meeting at PCD Headquarters - 901 S. Main Street in the WorkIT Co-working Center
Social time starts at 6pm. Business starts at 6:30pm. We will be finalizing our strategic plan, building the final pieces of our fundraiser event and discussing your concerns, ideas and the initiatives you want to take on.

May 10th - Party Building Potluck at 1pm at PCD Headquarters
Bring a snack to share as we do the work that makes the change we imagine. We'll be calling members to ask them to buy tickets to Diamond Donkey -- we'll be building the baskets that we will be auctioning off at Diamond Donkey -- and we'll be getting to know each other, exchanging ideas and meeting new like-minded friends who we can work alongside. 

May 13th - Final Diamond Donkey Planning Meeting
This is it! We'll tie up loose ends, make last minute calls to secure more donations, and finish building out the decorations and baskets, sign in sheets and QR codes. We'll go over the "Day Of" plans for the event and get ready to celebrate a new season of creating positive impact for Payne County!!

May 16th - Diamond Donkey: Blueprint 2026 - Building, Believing, Winning!
We're just 15 days away from our Diamond Donkey fundraiser.  Every action you take helps us exceed our goals so that we can raise the funds we need to do the work that's required to turn Oklahoma blue!! 

Here are 10 things you can do to help this event be extremely successful --- 
1. Consider buying a general admissions ticket for $65 or a student ticket for $35. You can also donate a ticket if you are not able to attend. 
2. Think of the most generous person you know and ask them to donate to the even or sponsor the event. If you don't like asking people to spend money on things you believe in --- consider for a moment what it would feel like if Oklahoma turned blue. Then go ahead and reach out to that friend! 
3. Go to the Pane County Dems Facebook or Instagram account and forward our content to your friends. 
4. Forward this newsletter to 5 friends. 
5. Ask 10 democrats you know if they have bought their ticket to Diamond Donkey. 
6. Download this invitation and text it to a friend. 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FIU_zm3gQXlVS15aQxOSWPODP6IZLIfg/view?usp=sharing
7. Consider if you know any business owners or people who always talk about making big changes for the better. Ask them to support Payne County Dems. 
8. Come to the Party Building events we have this month and bring one friend. 
9. Follow Cyndi Munson on social media. Get to know her and the work she is doing. Talk to your friends who are disappointed Oklahoma leadership and tell them they can meet the next Governor who's going to turn that all around at Diamond Donkey on May 16th. 
10. Show up! Speak up! and Stand up! -- everywhere you can, any time you can! 

AND....

We're just 20 days away from the May 22nd deadline to register to vote. We need new voters in the June 16th election to VOTE YES on State Question 832 at raise the minimum wage in Oklahoma. AND we need new voters to take part in the primaries, to select the strongest candidates possible. 

With an open Senate seat, open Congressional district, and 100+ Democrats running for state and local office across the state - this primary election matters now more than ever.

Come to the events this week to learn how you can spread the word, register new voters and make the change you want to see!

Meeting Minutes from our April meeting:

from Sec. Cynthia Gedra
Please click the button below to read the minutes.
 Read April Meeting Minutes

Contact Info and Resources

Office location:    901 S. Main Street, Stillwater OK 74074
Phone:                405-385-9129
Website:              www.paynecountydemocrats.org
Link.Tree:            https://linktr.ee/paynecountydemocrats

As we work toward successful midterm elections, your ideas and energy are welcome and needed.
Reach out to PCD leaders via 405-385-9219 or email your Central Committee: 
Sarah:       chair@paynecountydemocrats.org
Sam:         vicechair@paynecountydemocrats.org
Cynthia:    secretary@paynecountydemocrats.org

DONATION STATION:
-- Time, Talent, Treasure -- Photo Sharing, Social Media Sharing --
Every minute, every skill and every penny counts. 
Every post, report, like, share and original content creation means so much. 

Buy Your Diamond Donkey Ticket and Claim Your Sponsorship
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Donate to Payne County Democrats
Support Leader Munson’s Campaign for Governor
Support Representative Ranson's Campaign for Re-election
Support Jules Roberson for Congressional District 3